3.31.2016

While binge-buying spring and summer nail collections a few weeks back, I absolutely could not pass up Orly's Melrose 4PC Mini Kit. As a SoCal gal, the shade range just oozedwalking in LA, palm tree, toes in the sand vibes {so apropos given the collection name}, and felt like such a necessary purchase. Bottom line: I dug the entire quartet, and am pretty confident you will too. Swatch time!

Window Shopping is a Blazing Magenta Creme. How fun is the name of this shade? It makes me think of day trips to Rodeo Drive. And the color itself? Lush! I plan on using Window Shopping as a pedi shade when the weather warms up; but for now, it's stunning on the tips. The berry undertones make it ultra-versatile across seasons; while the nearly-neon satin finish is straight-up posh! To give it a glossy look you def need to add top coat, which also works to brighten the shade. This was a surprise favorite for me, and my top pick from the quartet. This is 1 1/2 coats.

Feel The Funk is a Lilac Shimmer with Scattered Holographic Glitter. Ermagersh ladies this color is killing me! It just oozes thoughts of unicorns and rainbows and magic, amiright?! Feel The Funk applies semi-sheer, but builds to opacity lightning fast, making it a total breeze to work with! This is 2 coats.

Hip & Outlandish is an Electric Teal Creme. Shades like this make me go ooh - especially during the summer months; and what you're seeing isn't nearly as vibrant as it appears IRL, because Hip & Outlandish is a true prob to photograph. Nevertheless, it's one of my fave shades from this quartet, and a true stunner to work with. Like Window Shopping, Hip & Outlandish dries down to a dark, satin finish, so load up on the top coat to give it a glossy look. This is 2 coats.

Trendy is a Crystal-Flecked Neon Peach. Ladies, I am in complete and total L-O-V-E with this shade because it makes me look hella tan, and is the most perfect nod to summa summa summatime; but OMG it legit refuses to be photographed! Though Trendy looks, overall, like an eye-searing peach, in certain lights the crystal flecks are visible, giving it an extra kick of dimension. Formula here is not bad; though slightly patchy, it reaches opacity and levels nicely. Oddly enough, this one has a slightly textured finish, but a touch of top coat counteracts that. This is 2 1/2 coats.

3.28.2016

You may remember this being one of the polishes in the Christmas Swap Box I received from my fave Couture Carrie. While I received this waaaaay back in December, I only just now got around to trying it out {so many polishes, so little time}, and all I can say is what took me so long?

Seriously you guys, I. Am. In. Love.

Game of Chromes, aside from having an epic name, is such a killer shade. It's constructed of hundreds of thousands of gold and silver particles that truly bubble majestically on the nail.

Formula here is flawless. Perfect density, perfect texture, no streaks, and brilliant opacity in moments. Get it girls!

3.27.2016

3.26.2016

A wise owl once shared, “nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the Springtime.” For those of you who have lived in regions that experience true cold, you know all too well the excitement that ensues on the first day of warm sunny weather. As a southern California girl, my first encounter was when I moved to New York City. Everyone seems to have broad smiles and an extra skip in their step on the first day those warm rays shine across the avenues; it brings an unforgettable energy to the city.

So, Spring has sprung and that’s all anyone wanted to talk about. From the trends like printed shorts, flowy pleated skirts, crop tops, scarf head wraps, and espadrilles—Sounds like IFB Bloggers are packing for a trip to the tropics—to beauty pointers on how to give your skin a Spring radiance. There is also fitness tips because there is no time like Spring to get ready for Summer, and lessons in wardrobe composition, sustainable fashion, and a DIY with ties to Gucci.

Thanks everyone for your contributions. I could just feel your warmth!

3.24.2016

Cross my heart and hope to fly, I was seriously {seriously seriously} trying to resist buying any new nail colors for awhile, but I horribly failed. The bright colors were just calling to me, and I had to scoop up OPI's New Orleans 4PC Mini Set {among a few other collections - oops}. This quartet right here has become a fast favorite as it is the perfect blend of different finishes and shades that are truly brilliant for the warmer months. I think you'll love them too!

I'm Sooo Swamped! is a Grass Green Creme. Yaaasss! This color speaks to my soul! Not since Essie'sMojito Madness have I been so gaga over a green creme, but I'm Sooo Swamped! is it! The formula here is so unbelievably flawless, I can't even - it literally paints itself. This is a must-have color in your polish collection. Trust. This is 2 coats.

Got Myself Into A Jam-Balaya is a Warm Pink Creme. This is my choice for perfect pedi color of 2016 - it just screams toes in the sand vacay. I found the formula here to be a bit thin and patchy {thus the reason for multiple coats}, but otherwise completely easy breezy to work with. Pink isn't usually my fave, but the peachy undertones definitely make Got Myself Into A Jam-Balaya an easy favorite. This is 3 coats.

Show Us Your Tips! is a Periwinkle Shimmer-fest. OMG this color! Ladies, if unique is your flavor, Show Us Your Tips! needs to be added to your polish arsenal pronto! It is such an original shade, and an overall stunner. The formula is thin here {at one coat it could literally work as a topper to your favorite polishes}, but it builds to opacity beautifully. This is 3 1/2 coats.

Take A Right On Bourbon is a Platinum Metallic. Despite my not-so-secret aversion to metallic manis, I actually have a fondness for this particular shade {and not just because I like the name}. Take A Right On Bourbon, while a bit streaky, has an interesting vibe as it looks completely whitened-out silver in some lights, and almost rose gold in others. It's a nice versatility that makes it apropos for just about any season. Formula, again, is streaky and quite sheer, but builds up nicely. This is 3 coats.

3.21.2016

OMG ladies I l-o-v-e this shade. There's something about burgundy colors that just get me, ja feel?

For a dark hue, Dangerous Affair has a smooth, easy to apply formula that requires minimal muss and fuss; unfortunately, it does need three coats to achieve full opacity, as it is a bit patchy during application. Given how gorgeous the end result is, however, it's def. not a deal breaker. Highly recommend this lovely!

3.14.2016

Fact: this shade just landed on my all-time favorite glitter top coat list.

If monochromes are your thing, Check Mate will be a fast favorite. The black and white square glitter pieces have a very mosaic-meets-floor-tile feel that would look brilliant over just about any shade. The slight downside is that it is very much a dab and pat top coat, meaning you really need to work at scoring those pretty glitter bits. Nevertheless, the end result is totes worth it!

Here I'm wearing it over China Glaze Nail Lacquer in In The Near Fuchsia, which is just the prettiest base ever!

3.12.2016

We’re all rule breakers here. Right? Red is the new black. Stripes with florals. Navy with black. Shorts year round. Wedding dresses contrary to the Victorian custom. IFB Bloggers were thinking outside the box as usual this week. So much creativity with clothes using color, shape and texture to translate everyday looks into something a bit more pleasing to the eye and soul.

I, for one, broke the white wedding dress rule with a blush pink gown hand embroidered with colored ribbon. It’s not that I went looking to break this rule, but I was open to it. Open to the most flattering look for my frame and personality.

3.10.2016

SoCal has been serving up 80-degree weather for the past few weeks leaving me in a totally tropical mood. I just ordered these sandals {they'll look so adorbs paired with rompers and cutoff denim shorts!}, and have been wearing this on my lips non-stop for the past week {it's the prettiest light pink shimmer-infused gloss eva!}. Spring Break cannot come soon enough!

SHOP THE POST

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

3.09.2016

Looking to deepen your complexion without grabbing for a messy bottle of self-tanner or baking in the harmful sun? Done! Here are five simple {and sun-free} steps to scoring that golden goddess glow - all with the help of your beauty drawer!

3.07.2016

I fell for this polish due to its likeness to a snow-flocked Christmas tree, so it's description as a frozen forest metallic is so on point, I can't even!

Jade is a shimmer-packed marvel that has a smoky look to it courtesy of the charcoal undertones. Though it looks totally like a standard metallic, when you look v close, you can see tiny emerald glitter particles throughout that are just yum!

My qualm with Jade is the formula. It looked like it had the potential to be a OCW because it's so pigmented, but the formula is so thick and gloppy, that you really have to thin it down by wiping excess off on the lip of the bottle before applying it to the nail. This results in the need for two coats. Pretty color, yes; but such a pain of a formula. Womp womp.